THE KELLY’S.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2241, 24 May 1880, Page 2

THE KELLY’S.

The “ North Eastern Ensign ” writes respecting the Kelly outlaws “ If a constable or stranger is seen in the Yallcy of the King river, the fact is

carried straight to the Kellys by bush telegrams. It is not necessary the ‘ telegraph.’ should speak to the Kellys or even see them. A certain way of tying a handkerchief on the sleeve of a coat, when riding along a bush track, constitutes a cypher word which the outlaws can read without showing themselves from one of their watch towers. The gang have given up all hope of being able to break away, and they are now playing a waiting game, and must inevitably be won by the police ; but whether the end will come in a month or six months, or twelve, no one can say. The present operation of simply watching the Kelly’s is costing thecolony £SOOO a year and all the return the colony gets for the money is, that the police have deprived the outlaws of all hope of escape, that they are leading a wretched life of anxiety, and daily, becoming less and less trustful of their friends. It is some satisfaction to know ; that they have been effectually concerned, and that their capture or death is only a question of time. We know also that anything like another outbreak of crime in the infected district has become impossible.